Post by chanman83 on Jul 10, 2007 12:21:47 GMT -5
Raising the Bar 2 - David Pulcinella
A documentary about the life of bodybuilding
Run time: 1 hr 41 mins with 10 mins extras
Before I continue I’d like to let everyone know this review is from the viewpoint of another competitive bodybuilder.
Dave is back with another great documentary for our viewing pleasure. This time around he's showing us his road to the North American's and the Master Nationals. As you know there are many struggles, road blocks, and other things that jump at you in life.
We are taken back to where Dave wins the Delaware states and he prepping for the North Americans a few weeks later. Where else do we start but back in the gym and Dave rocks weights like it was air. There are some funny moments as Dave displays the numerous workout partners he has. He replies they just can't handle him but also it's that Dave is very precise on what he eats, when he eats, when he trains, etc. To him, finding a training partner like that is near impossible but he always tries to find the one that have that competitive edge like him. After a few scenes of the numerous partners he has, Dave talks about eating, dieting, and how it affects everyday life.
Dave now sets his sights on the North American’s show in Ohio where he hopes to get his pro card. Dave comes in rock hard and takes his heavyweight class. Winning has its price. Dave has problems all the time with keeping his electrolytes in check. He cramps up during the night show and had to be put on an oxygen mask and some IVs put in him. He did win his heavyweight class but he could not return for the overall and thus his attempt for a pro card evaporates.
Dave’s client base explodes after Raise the Bar I and now he has numerous internet clients and the proof is shown on the TV and then we get some interesting news. For the readers who have seen the first DVD you have to remember the big mouth and co*ky Lance. As a refresher Lance came into the Delaware telling Dave he’s old and washed up and he will be kicking his ASS. Funny how you talk big but come out small and that’s what happened to Lance as Dave worked him. Lance however, showed some character and asked Dave to help him with his contest prep. Lance looked so much better with Dave’s help and he did very well in his competition, so it’s show how cool of a guy Dave is.
Dave now sets his sights on the Masters Nationals in another attempt for his pro card and of course there are issues that arise during the prep and also at the competition. What are some of the issues? Well for starters, Jen, Dave’s girlfriend is burnt out from all the hard dieting and she feels isolated from society. She wants to eat normally again, go out, and drink with her friends. Dave says he just wants her to be happy and they decide it’s best she take a break. Another issue that is big to us bodybuilder is the threat of injury. Dave suffers an injury that derails him for a bit but doesn’t stop him. Finally, the biggest issue is family. When many of us do competitions we are pretty isolated. I personally don’t go to many family functions or even show my face to many family members other than those I happen to see or they come over. This happens to Dave numerous times and we get a closer look at his family and there outlook on his bodybuilding lifestyle and how he also isolates himself from family gathering such as birthdays. We get to hear from his sister her viewpoint on it and trust me it’s not pleasant.
Onto the masters nationals and Dave does what many of us do best during the final week… SLEEP! It’s great to have a team helping you out and he has the same as they get his foods for him, what a lucky guy! When the show arrives we are struck with tragedy as the day before the show competitor Anthony D'Arezzo passes away. It’s an eye opening but huge reminder of how dangerous our sport can be. Rest in peace Anthony! The big day is finally here and Dave is in a very competitive class but he does well. I won’t reveal how he finishes but he’s very happy with the outcome.
Raise the Bar 2 is just as good if not better than its predecessor. Mike Pulcinella does a wonderful job and of course with more money put into this installment we get another great documentary on the life of Dave Pulcinella with more insights, interviews, and background information on the various people in his life. I hope every viewer who purchases this DVD or views it is left with a sense of how we bodybuilders live and how hard contest preparation really is. I recommend you show your friends and family the first DVD and then this one as they should feel more appreciative on what we do and how much we sacrifice for this great sport we call… BODYBUILDING!
Highly Recommended!
A documentary about the life of bodybuilding
Run time: 1 hr 41 mins with 10 mins extras
Before I continue I’d like to let everyone know this review is from the viewpoint of another competitive bodybuilder.
Dave is back with another great documentary for our viewing pleasure. This time around he's showing us his road to the North American's and the Master Nationals. As you know there are many struggles, road blocks, and other things that jump at you in life.
We are taken back to where Dave wins the Delaware states and he prepping for the North Americans a few weeks later. Where else do we start but back in the gym and Dave rocks weights like it was air. There are some funny moments as Dave displays the numerous workout partners he has. He replies they just can't handle him but also it's that Dave is very precise on what he eats, when he eats, when he trains, etc. To him, finding a training partner like that is near impossible but he always tries to find the one that have that competitive edge like him. After a few scenes of the numerous partners he has, Dave talks about eating, dieting, and how it affects everyday life.
Dave now sets his sights on the North American’s show in Ohio where he hopes to get his pro card. Dave comes in rock hard and takes his heavyweight class. Winning has its price. Dave has problems all the time with keeping his electrolytes in check. He cramps up during the night show and had to be put on an oxygen mask and some IVs put in him. He did win his heavyweight class but he could not return for the overall and thus his attempt for a pro card evaporates.
Dave’s client base explodes after Raise the Bar I and now he has numerous internet clients and the proof is shown on the TV and then we get some interesting news. For the readers who have seen the first DVD you have to remember the big mouth and co*ky Lance. As a refresher Lance came into the Delaware telling Dave he’s old and washed up and he will be kicking his ASS. Funny how you talk big but come out small and that’s what happened to Lance as Dave worked him. Lance however, showed some character and asked Dave to help him with his contest prep. Lance looked so much better with Dave’s help and he did very well in his competition, so it’s show how cool of a guy Dave is.
Dave now sets his sights on the Masters Nationals in another attempt for his pro card and of course there are issues that arise during the prep and also at the competition. What are some of the issues? Well for starters, Jen, Dave’s girlfriend is burnt out from all the hard dieting and she feels isolated from society. She wants to eat normally again, go out, and drink with her friends. Dave says he just wants her to be happy and they decide it’s best she take a break. Another issue that is big to us bodybuilder is the threat of injury. Dave suffers an injury that derails him for a bit but doesn’t stop him. Finally, the biggest issue is family. When many of us do competitions we are pretty isolated. I personally don’t go to many family functions or even show my face to many family members other than those I happen to see or they come over. This happens to Dave numerous times and we get a closer look at his family and there outlook on his bodybuilding lifestyle and how he also isolates himself from family gathering such as birthdays. We get to hear from his sister her viewpoint on it and trust me it’s not pleasant.
Onto the masters nationals and Dave does what many of us do best during the final week… SLEEP! It’s great to have a team helping you out and he has the same as they get his foods for him, what a lucky guy! When the show arrives we are struck with tragedy as the day before the show competitor Anthony D'Arezzo passes away. It’s an eye opening but huge reminder of how dangerous our sport can be. Rest in peace Anthony! The big day is finally here and Dave is in a very competitive class but he does well. I won’t reveal how he finishes but he’s very happy with the outcome.
Raise the Bar 2 is just as good if not better than its predecessor. Mike Pulcinella does a wonderful job and of course with more money put into this installment we get another great documentary on the life of Dave Pulcinella with more insights, interviews, and background information on the various people in his life. I hope every viewer who purchases this DVD or views it is left with a sense of how we bodybuilders live and how hard contest preparation really is. I recommend you show your friends and family the first DVD and then this one as they should feel more appreciative on what we do and how much we sacrifice for this great sport we call… BODYBUILDING!
Highly Recommended!
